Emma Raducanu says it ‘meant everything’ to get message from Queen after US Open win

British tennis superstar Emma Raducanu said it 'meant everything' to get a letter from the Queen congratulating the teenager on her astonishing US Open victory on Saturday and revealed she is planning on framing the note from Her Majesty.

The 18-year-old from Kent, who became Britain's first female Grand Slam champion in 44 years after beating Canadian rival Lelyah Fernandez in straight sets at Flushing Meadows, also said she is 'ready' to deal with 'anything that comes my way'.

In an interview with the BBC after posing for photos outside Arthur Ashe Stadium, Raducanu said: 'It meant everything to get a message from Her Majesty. She's such a great inspiration and role model for the whole country so to have a note from her.

'I was extremely honoured and very very grateful that she took notice of my tennis. I can't believe it. I'm maybe going to frame that letter or something.'

A message from the Queen at Balmoral to the teenager read: 'I send my congratulations to you on your success in winning the United States Open Tennis Championships. It is a remarkable achievement at such a young age, and is testament to your hard work and dedication.

'I have no doubt your outstanding performance, and that of your opponent, Leylah Fernandez, will inspire the next generation of tennis players. I send my warmest good wishes to you and your many supporters.'

The Duke and Duchess of Cambridge also hailed Raducanu's 'stunning performances and historic Grand Slam victory', while Prime Minister Boris Johnson said 'we are all hugely proud of you' as he praised the Briton's 'extraordinary skill, poise and guts'.

The 18-year-old from Kent fell to the ground and put her hands over her face after beating the 19-year-old Canadian 6-4, 6-3, in front of an enthralled Arthur Ashe Stadium in Flushing Meadows.

Raducanu, who was sitting her A-levels earlier this year, sealed her victory in straight sets (6-4, 6-3) - becoming the first Briton to win a major since Virginia Wade at Wimbledon in 1977 and is the first qualifier to triumph in a Grand Slam, in either the men's or women's game.

Life will never be the same again for the teenager, who was born in Canada and moved to London when she was just two, as she claims a £1.8million cheque - more than her entire career winnings to date - and soars up the rankings from 150 to 23.

'I'm still just so shocked, still in the moment,' a stunned Raducanu said after the historic match. 'I can't believe I came through that last service game. It honestly means absolutely everything to hold this trophy. I just don't want to let go.'

Tennis pundits heralded the victory as a landmark victory for the sport. Wimbledon champion Chris Evert said: 'It's a miracle. This is a kid no one had ever heard of until a couple of weeks ago. Now she's the biggest name in sport. She's stolen all our hearts.'

After her victory, Raducanu planted a kiss on the silver trophy and beamed at the adoring 24,000 fans inside the Arthur Ashe.

The Briton said: 'Thank you to everyone here in New York for making me feel so at home from my first qualifying match all the way through to the finals. Leylah's always going to play great tennis and always going to fight… I knew I had to dig deep.

'I think it shows that the future of women's tennis - and just the depth of the game right now - is so great. I think every single player in the women's draw definitely has a shot of winning at any tournament.

'I hope that the next generation can follow in the steps of some of the greatest legends', she added, naming Billie Jean King, who presented her with the trophy.

Tweeting for the first time since her stunning win, Raducanu wrote a short but sweet message.

Pictured alongside the US Open trophy, she wrote: 'We are taking her HOMEEE.'

The first set was a nail-biter, with the games toing and froing from deuce to advantage and back to deuce again as the teenagers played fearless high-speed rallies from the baseline.

But in the second set, Fernandez's wayward serving let her down and Raducanu was able to turn the screw as she was handed freebies from the double faults.

The final game was fraught with controversy as Raducanu took time out for treatment after grazing her knee with the score poised at 30-40.

Fernandez furiously remonstrated with the umpire, complaining that the Briton was slowing the game down while she was on a roll.

Raducanu was unfazed as she returned to the court with a patch over her knee and the game continued to yet another deuce before the Brit lashed down a ferocious ace on her third match point.

Britain's Billie Jean King Cup captain Anne Keothavong described Raducanu's victory as one of the greatest sporting achievements ever.

'It still feels so surreal - that was just an incredible performance from Emma, and from Leylah,' she said.

'A really high-quality tennis match from two teenagers, but honestly I never thought I would see a British female lift a grand slam trophy in my lifetime. I can't put it into words how huge this is.

'This is perhaps one of the greatest sporting achievements ever. I am so happy for her and the way she has done it, to not drop a set in the whole tournament, it is not normal and is unheard of.'

Raducanu reached the fourth round at Wimbledon in only her second WTA tournament but stepped up her level in New York.

Keothavong added: 'She has shown us all she is made for the big stage. It is just an unbelievable achievement and her life will be very different from now onwards. She has the ability to be right up there at the top of the women's game and dominate. Really, the future is looking more than bright.'

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